The Washington, DC area is one of the best places in the US if you're a
reggae fan, with acts like Midnite, Soldiers
of Jah Army, Carlton Livingston, and Shango
Band having taken up residence there at one point or another, not to mention
RAS Records, Mt. Nebo Records, and Lion & Fox Studios. Well, add the
band JohnStone to that list. An active member of the DC reggae scene for
several years now, JohnStone spent the past three recording Eyes Open,
and the time was well spent. The care and attention spent is evident
in this top-notch showcase of roots reggae. The international lineup --
including members from Jamaica, Guyana, Ghana, and the US -- blend their
respective homeland's influences beautifully, performing roots with touches of
soul and occasionally a more up-tempo African twist (as on "The
Awakening" and "Celebration"). Lead singer Andre White's
vocals are evocative -- a folksy blend of Alpha
Blondy and Winston Matthews of Wailing Souls
fame -- and the music is rich and heartfelt, with nary a weak track to be
found. Check 'em out at johnstonereggae.com.

If you're a roots fan, changes are you'll enjoy JohnStone's Eyes Open,
and if you enjoy Eyes Open, why not pick up the dub? These
tracks are pretty much no-frills, straight-ahead dubs with few bells and
whistles, but I suppose the music is good enough on its own that not a lot is
needed. I would've liked to have heard more of lead singer Andre White's
engaging voice, but then again, these are "dubs," aren't they?
While Eyes Open Dub stands find on its own, I certainly recommend buying
the vocal version as well.

After releasing one of the best (and perhaps most overlooked) reggae albums of 2005, JohnStone seeks to make a big splash with the follow-up, seeking the aid of Bambu Station lead singer and all-around musical magician Jalani Horton in recording Innocent Children. Not that they needed the magic touch that the Virgin Islands has produced reggae-wise over the past several years, but recording in that inspirational land certainly didn't hurt. Listening to Innocent Children is like stepping into a time machine and transporting yourself back to the age of classic roots harmony. "Peace and Love and Harmony" and "Clinton's Lament" in particular recall the heyday of Israel Vibration, with rich, layered vocals and a laid-back, rural vibe. The instrumentation is likewise lovely; we get a couple of nice dubs (aided by the mixing of veteran Jim Fox, who has worked with -- you guessed it -- Israel Vibration), plus extended musical riffs such as the jazzy saxophone intro to "Black Spirits Swells." As the name indicates, Innocent Children is topical -- the title track inspired by a news report of children recruited to fight in Haiti -- and often mournful, but the tender "Your Love" and "Doubt" showcase the group's lovers side in fine style. JohnStone is a sure cure for reggae fans lamenting that the music isn't what it used to be. Those of you who didn't pick up their debut should not miss this train again. Buy a ticket for a marvelous ride at johnstonereggae.com.